LIFE OF A POET ~ VIVIAN ZEMS

Today we are visiting one of our newer members, my friends. We are flying across the Pond to meet with Vivian Zems, who blogs at Smell the Coffee.  Vivian lives in North London. She is also a songwriter, and is sharing two of her songs with us, so let's pour a cup of Earl Grey tea, and dive right in.

Sherry: Vivian, as you are fairly new to Poets United, would you tell us a little about yourself?  Give us a little snapshot of your life on any given day, won't you?

Vivian: I’m so pleased to be able to share some of my life with you. I live in North London, United Kingdom. London is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city.  I liken it to a world stage; there’s always something going on.

I’m a dentist, and split my working life between dentistry and dental hygiene services….and of course, writing. As a mother of five ; four children and one German Shepherd (Zeus), I’m often asked how I find the time to write. My answer: if it’s your passion, you’ll HAVE to do it- it’s that simple.

My routine involves getting to work two hours early every day (it’s the only time I can write), then another half an hour writing/ blogging after work before heading home. I sort the kids out- somewhat (they’re quite big now), make sure Zeus been walked, watered and fed, then we have some family time before bed. At weekends, I’m invaded by teenagers.

Sherry: It sounds like a busy and happy life. You have a beautiful family, and Zeus is a sweetheart! In your  bio, I see you are a songwriter as well as a writer. Do you perform your music as well? Tell us a little about being a songwriter?

Vivian: Now this is a funny one.  I responded to an ad about converting poems to song by another blogger (Zoolon). And I had one poem ("Older and Wiser") that I really wanted converted. He was perfect and produced and sang the entire piece. For my second song (I’ve Found My Voice), I managed to hum the tune, and worked with another artist to produce it.

I’m completely new to songwriting, and I feel myself bumbling along….but I’m loving every minute of it. I’ve made youtube videos from these songs and hope to add a few more to my channel.

written and created by Vivian Zems

Sherry: Vivian, I am so impressed! You are a beginning songwriter, yet so accomplished. This is a very professional video. And isn't it wonderful how technology allows us a platform these days? I love that this song is about finding one's voice, as well as poetry! Let's look at another.

written and created by Vivian Zems

Sherry: How wonderful, Vivian! Bravo! There is a close connection between songwriting and poetry.  When did you begin writing poems? What do you love about it? What makes a poem sing for you?

Vivian: I wrote my first poem in February last year (2017). I don’t know where it came from- it just charged out. Coming from a science background, I’ve never been creative, but always harboured a desire to write fiction. So, it took my friends and family by complete surprise  when poetry made an appearance.

I write when I’m inspired. It may be another poem I’ve read, a sentence spoken - anything. It’s made me a better listener. With poetry, I’ve been able to speak from my spirit- unlike prose, where my mind is fully engaged.  When reading poetry, if it succeeds in transporting me, it’s accomplished its aim.

source

Sherry: I like that it makes us better listeners. A good observation. Is there someone in your life you feel had a significant influence on your becoming a writer/songwriter? Someone who encouraged your talent and your dreams?

Vivian: I’ve always been an obsessive reader. I have an insatiable appetite for fiction and, for years, have gone through countless audio books. I believe this has stretched the horizons of my imagination. My cheer leaders are my family and friends who encourage me constantly. Mind you, as this is all new to me, I feel like one who’s discovered buried treasure; I dig daily for inspiration and when I find it, stories and poems just roar out of me.

I’m grateful to God for this gift. Indeed it is a gift, considering that I never knew or enjoyed a line of poetry until last year.

source

Sherry: I enjoy your amazement. Smiles.  I see that you write prose as well. Do you have a different process for each?

Vivian: When I write prose, it’s to a movie that’s playing out in my head. I ‘watch’ the film, then I get to work. Poetry arrives by a different pathway. I call it my spirit - for want of a better word. I’ve really no idea. Mostly, it  begins as a burn on the inside, causing me to scramble for pen and paper or my phone...then out it pours. Other poems require some pondering; there doesn’t appear to be a pattern. My song- writing is simply a poem adjusted to fit music of a certain genre, tune and beat.

Available here

Available here

Sherry: I see you have three books out. Congratulations! The third is a book of poetry. So (this is a leading question, lol) which of the three books is your favourite and why?

Available here

Vivian: Haha! The poetry, of course!  With the first two - the Shoestring Budget series- I was sticking to facts  that I knew and decided to turn them into books. Shortly after, poetry arrived- and I discovered my passion. The poems in Waxing Lyrical were my first 50 poems after that first one in February 2017...so they hold a special place in my heart.

Sherry: Three books and some songs is a wonderful body of work. Way to go! How long have you been blogging, and how has blogging impacted your work?

Vivian: I began blogging in January last year and haven’t looked back since. I believe that reading others’ work and having my writing critiqued has sharpened my skills. It’s also taught me that I’ve still got a long way to go.

Sherry: We all gain so much from sharing our love of words, don't we? Would you like to share three poems with us and tell us a little about each one?

Vivian: The three poems I’d like to share cover the topics of exultation ("Being Canny"), a warning ("Take Heed") and a hope ("Throes of Passion".)

Being Canny

It’s pure ecstasy

to run free within my mind

shutting out white noise

side-stepping anger’s pot-holes

steering my soul heaven-ward

"Being Canny" was born out of a feeling of exhilaration when I barely registered a recent storm of negativity. I’d lost interest fairly rapidly in whatever it was... and the words poured forth.

Take Heed

When your moral compass

goes astray

just about anything goes

-come what may

Jealousy and pride

become fast friends

anger and unforgiveness

pledge allegiance to the end

The road to destruction

seems paved with vengeance

while the fruits of life

lie rotting in decadence

‘Tis a sorry impasse

to lose one’s moral compass

Take heed and beware

lest you succumb to satan’s snare

"Take Heed" is a warning to myself and society, as a whole. Everyday we  face conflict; in our families, in our streets and in our schools, with devastating consequences. I felt the common thread was a loss of our moral compass.

Throes of Passion

If it doesn't whisper in your dreams

waking you up with a racing heart

it's not your passion

If it doesn't make you burn the midnight oil

creating more time out of the ether

it's not your passion

If it doesn't carry you through the air

as if riding a fire-breathing dragon

it's not your passion

If it doesn't resemble a form of madness

causing others to question your sanity

it's not your passion

If it doesn't consume or devour you

blinding you to all around

Do Something Else!

 it's not your passion

"Throes of Passion" hopefully speaks for itself. It gives a face to my passion. So if i sound crazy, hopefully you’ll understand.

Sherry: Not crazy at all. Truth. What other activities do you enjoy when you aren’t writing?

Vivian: Most things have paled in significance, but I still maintain my love for travel and exploring the world around me. Apart from being  an avid reader, I attend a regular poetry meetup where we share our poetry.

Sherry: It's wonderful to share our work with poetry groups in real time.  Is there anything else you’d like us to know that I don’t know you well enough to ask?

Vivian: Well, I’m working on my next book, a collection of short stories, and preparing the groundwork for a charity anthology for later this year - or early next year.

I’ve told my children, and now will tell the world; when I go to the great beyond, please make sure I’m buried with pen and some paper; for I’m certain I’ll see something I need to write about!

source

Sherry: Good idea! You are very prolific. It would be frustrating to find oneself without writing materials. Smiles. Is there anything you’d like to say to Poets United?

Vivian: I enjoy this platform and love being part of this collective. One day..soon...if someone asks me what I do…. I hope I’ll have the courage to say “Poet!”

Sherry: You are already there, Vivian. You write wonderful poems, which makes you a poet! Not to mention your wonderful music! Thank you so much for this visit, and for your participation at Poets United. We are happy you found us.

Wasn't this lovely, my friends? Do come back and see who we talk to next. Who knows? It might be you!

BLOG OF THE WEEK: VIVIAN HAS TWO NEW BOOKS!

Today we are pleased to feature the very busy Vivian Zems, a mother, a dentist, a songwriter, and poet who lives in London, in the UK, and who blogs at Smell the Coffee. Vivian not only launched her book Lift Off! in April; she also produced a book of the poems she wrote during April in a second book, Verses of April. I don't think that has ever been done before. Let's dive in, and find out how she managed such a feat!

Sherry: Vivian, congratulations on the recent release of your TWO poetry books, Lift Off! and Verses of April. Both of these books swiftly rose to Number 1 in the Amazon Best Seller categories of Poetry/Anthologies and Literature and Short Fiction Reads. This leaves me breathless. How are you feeling these days? (Smiles.)

Available here

Available here

Vivian: Yes, indeed! Both  Verses of April and Lift Off! briefly got to the #1 Amazon Bestseller position. And for a moment in time were both #1 and #2. I was thrilled beyond words!

Sherry: Congratulations! I was impressed that you produced the book Verses of April during the month of April itself. A feat I am not sure has happened before in the history of National Poetry Month. How did you manage this, during the white-heat writing of a poem-a-day?

Vivian: I actually ran the writing and publishing of Verses of April as a social experiment, and gave updates on my Facebook Author Page. I wanted to find out if it was possible to complete the book in 26 days…and I managed it in the nick of time. I’d learned from my previous marketing mistakes and applied my new lessons to  both books. Incidentally, I’ve made Lift Off! permanently FREE.

Available here

Sherry: How wonderful! That is lovely. You have another poetry book, as well, titled Waxing Lyrical, that came out in 2018. And three previous books, which we talked about during our last chat. Wow.

As you are living arguably the busiest years of your life, I think what we all want to know is: how do you do it? Do you have a regular time set aside for writing, in the demands of working and family life? Or is it sheer determination?

Vivian: I wish I had a more stringent routine, but as it stands, I get up at 5 a.m. every morning and make sure I’m the first one in to work. I get some writing done then. After work, it’s another 90 minutes in the car - on my phone - before I head home. The problem with peering into my phone for so long is that I now need spectacles!

Sherry: Well, we are all left in awe, at all you accomplish. Let's look at a few of your poems, and sample the goodies awaiting us in your books.

 Soul Search - from Lift Off!

This poem reflects how the journey of self-discovery can take the author down a myriad of paths. The speaker is thinking that the choice they have is either to find the answer in a bottle or, better still, puzzle it out with reasoning.

Dewey Love - from Verses of April

This was quiet observation on my way to my car- on a crisp April morning.

Two Great Creatures - from Waxing Lyrical

This poem was from my first-ever collection. I still read the book and smile/cringe. Nevertheless, this piece was about my two sons with their questionable fashion sense..and yet, very warm hearts.

Day 10 of National Poetry Month

Sherry: I love the way you present your poems so artistically, Vivian.  I am not sure you have much spare time but, when you do, what do you like to do?

Vivian: You’ve got me there! My life is very much all used up between work, writing and keeping house. However, to unwind, I’d probably watch Netflix, visit friends, and of course play with our woof, Zeus.

Sherry: I love the beautiful Zeus, whom we have met before. What is his and your favourite pastime? And how is the family?

Vivian: We’re doing well. Everyone is busy with school/work/life. Zeus’ pastime is at odds with ours. It’s hide and seek; he hides our possessions and sits back while we scurry around looking for them! He virtually runs the entire household- including making our holiday plans. He’s apparently chosen a beach on the UK coast for our next vacation!(smiles).

Sherry: There is no creature happier than a dog on the beach! 

Vivian, it has been such a pleasure, visiting with you. Again, congratulations on your recent book success. We are thrilled to have you at Poets United, and look forward to many more of your wonderful poems (and books!) Is there anything you’d like to say to Poets United?

  

Vivian: Thanks Sherry! I’d just like to say that being part of this collective has boosted my confidence and improved my writing. However, I still feel like I have a long way to go, so I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my poetry with you and everyone else here.

And we are happy for the sharing, Vivian. Do come back, poet friends, and see who we talk to next. Who knows? It could be you!

POEMS OF THE WEEK BY MYRNA, VIVIAN AND GRACE

Today we are featuring poems by Myrna Rosa, Vivian Zems and Grace Guevera that we think you will enjoy. Each one gives us such a lovely portrait of the poet who penned it. Let's top up our coffee and immerse ourselves in the beauty of their reflections.

SUNDAY MORNING

In my room, 

Messy like the world,

My dogs sleep peacefully.

Their snores are music from their dreams.

I join my mountains in their devotions

To the sky, insects, coyotes, deer, all animals,

all people trampling on trails.

Awed, I stare at this rocky mass 

Jutting into air, so serene

It slows the rhythm of my worries.

But I cannot be still for long.

Blood rushes through soft flesh,

Limbs swerve, shift, shake.

My mountains shine green with tint of envy,

But speak what any good friend would,

"You can move, I cannot.

Become your own prayer."

Then, through the window in my messy room,

My mountains watch 

As I dance.

Myrna's mountains

Sherry: I love the idea of being the prayer. And the mountains watching you as you dance. Sunday mornings have a special feeling to me, too, because of my childhood. Thanks so much for this.

Myrna: Perhaps because of my early years of structured religion, Sunday mornings still seem special to me.  I hear the silence louder, I breathe the air more deeply, as if I am called to acknowledge something sacred.  Most Sunday mornings I sit in my quiet, messy room for a while waiting for thoughts to transform into poems.  Too often this doesn't happen.  Instead, I stare at my mountains.  While they stand still, I become aware there is commotion within them - much like in me and the world.

The morning I wrote this poem, no poetic thoughts arose.  I decided to give up trying.  "Alexa, play Beethoven", I ordered, as I prepared to doodle in a sketch pad.  Suddenly, I remembered an article by a spiritual writer who advised that we need not kneel or be in any particular place or pose in order to emit positive energy or, in effect, pray.  All we do can be prayer, we can be the prayer.  I paraphrase and I don't recall his name, but I believe his advice.  

I then wrote this poem inspired by the mountains I love and the fact that often, as I cook, do dishes or paint, I play loud, rhythmic, salsa music and take time out to dance. I pretend I move the way I did when young, as I shuffle to the music of my heritage (I'm Puerto Rican), expressing my joy, honoring my ancestors, emitting positive energy and, in effect, praying.  

Sherry: I can see you, dancing in your kitchen! Now and then, I do a lick or two across the room to John Lennon. Smiles. Thank you for this lovely glimpse of your Sunday morning, Myrna.

Vivian's poem  "Emergence" speaks beautifully about our passage through life, how we are honed by the difficult passages. Let's read, and be encouraged. 

EMERGENCE

If I had known
that a nest so beautiful
needed to be built
with broken branches
I would not have
……cried at the tearing
                     ……nor sobbed at the ripping
               ……or despaired at
                    the breaking
                                       of the branches
                                 of me

Sherry: Yes, had we known that pain was growing and stretching us, it might have been easier to bear. I love the nest imagery in this poem so much!

Vivian:  The poem was born out of the realisation that hard times can give birth to new and beautiful beginnings or realisations. Tough times may seek to break you, but perseverance sees you emerging from the tunnel stronger, wiser and full of gratitude - hence the title, ‘Emergence’.

Sherry: I love it, Vivian. Thank you for sharing it. 

Let's take a look at Grace's affirmative poem, "I Am, My Story", a beautiful story indeed.

I AM, MY STORY

I am, my story

i was at war with 
myself & the world

i am here,
not to provoke you
despite
that i am not you
that my skin is dark rose
that my hair is thick as forest
that my tongue is quick as snake

i am here, because you have given
me compassion
       & priceless gifts
that i can speak freely
that i can act and believe in my
       faith and decisions
that i don't need to cover my face
       nor hair if I choose not to
that i don't need to step back
       for someone else to go in
       first
       favored

i am here, because you made me
see that sky is blue
       not charcoal in dust or gunpowder
see that streets are clean
       not mired in holes or littered by dead
       bodies, whose faces i knew
       whose lives i knew
       whose nightmares I heard
see my reflection upon the emerald lake
       underneath this scarred face & body
       ...a fire in my eyes
       ...a sword my hands move
                                                 to grasp

i am here.
thank you for a new 
beginning

source

Sherry: We are so glad you were granted that new beginning, Grace. So many are denied it. I love that now the sky above you is blue, no longer grey.

Grace: We are lucky to live in a country, Canada, where we respect and afford human rights and freedom to all people. Sadly that is not the case in other countries - where women specially are not allowed to travel or move around without the consent of male guardianship, like in Saudi Arabia, or where women are not allowed to write, speak, dress without the conventional garb, and fight for their beliefs, like in Iran.   

I admire my country for taking in the victims of the ISIS war, specially the children and the women brutally raped, sold and victimized during the war in Syria.  There was also this case of the Saudi teen escaping Saudi Arabia because her family did not afford her the freedom she wanted.  With these events as a background, I wanted to feature my country as a place where you have the privileges of a free individual, who can determine their own future.

Sherry: We are very fortunate to live in this country. We have to be careful that these freedoms are safeguarded, against the rise of those who would curtail them. 

Thank you, Myrna, Vivian and Grace, for your insightful poems. Each one carries a wonderful message.

Poet friends, do come back and see who we talk to next. Who knows? It might be you!

Poetry Pantry #405

Hong Kong by Night

Greetings, Poets!  I found the above photo in Wikimedia Commons.  I thought it was a beautiful one so decided to share here for Poetry Pantry this weekend. (Click on it to make it larger if you wish.)

Hope you enjoyed all of the features we shared at Poets United this week.  Sherry prepared a great feature on poet Vivian Zems for last Monday.  Sumana had us writing tribute poems for Wednesday.  On Friday Sherry featured Joanna Streetly, the poet laureate of Tofino, BC, Canada for "I Wish I'd Written This."  We all know that Sherry is living there in Tofino, and Sherry knows this poet!  Scroll back to read these wonderful features.

Return Monday to see which poems Sherry has featured for Poems of the Week.  And, for this week's Midweek Motif Susan's prompt will be Truth.

Hope that everyone is having a good weekend, and that you will have some time to share and read poetry.  Link your one poem below.  Stop in and say hello.  Visit the poems of others who share! I will see you on the trail.

Poetry Pantry #488

                                 


We had another fine week at Poets United, with another one shaping up ahead. On Friday, I featured a Vancouver Island poet, Margo Button, whose story is close to my heart. The feature included two riveting poems from her book The Unhinging of Wings. This poet and I have something rather devastating in common. Margo Button's son was diagnosed with schizophrenia in his early twenties, mine at seventeen. Sadly, Margo's son did not survive his illness. I know these poems will touch your heart as they did mine. It is worth scrolling back; they are not to be missed.

On Monday, we are chatting with Vivian Zems, a very busy poet who brought out not one but two new books in April, one of which was poems written in April. I am wildly impressed and had to ask her how she did it! I'm sure you'll enjoy catching up with her. On Wednesday Magaly is guest hosting Midweek Motif with the intriguing prompt: "not-so-old-fashioned hobbies." I suspect we will read about some interesting and unexpected hobbies on Wednesday. And next Sunday, Monday and Tuesday will be Magaly's Pantry of Prose, on the theme of "Stitches". That sounds like fun.

As it is Sunday, let's top up our coffees and see what goodies we have in the Pantry. Thanks for being here. We couldn't do this without you!